The  American  Church  Missionary  Society^ 


^ 

THE  MISSION  INv BRAZIL) 


ADVENT  mo.  / 


CHURCH  MISSIONS  HOUSE, 

281  FOURTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK  CITY. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries’ 


https://archive.org/details/missioninbrazilaOOamer_0 


The  Brazil  Mission. 


The  story  of  the  Brazil  Mission  is  a brave  story  of  strong,  devoted  men 
and  of  remarkable  accomplishment.  About  a decade  ago  the  Missionary 
enterprise  had  its  conception  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia, 
where  always  there  has  been  evinced  so  much  sympathy  and  enthusiasm  in 
the  construction  of  the  real  purpose  of  the  Church,  and  the  acceptance  of 
our  Lord’s  commission.  But  many  difficulties  had  to  be  overcome  before 
any  beginning  could  be  had  in  the  undertaking  ; and  so  great  were  these 
difficulties  that  at  times  it  appeared  as  if  the  project  might  have  to  be  aban- 
doned. But  God  was  with  those  who  had  it  at  heart. 

On  May  15,  1889,  the  American  Church  Missionary  Society,  after  long 
deliberation,  determined  to  foster  this  work,  and  directly  accepted  the  Rev. 
James  W.  Morris  and  the  Rev.  Lucien  Lee  Kinsolving  as  candidates  for 
Missionary  work  to  be  inaugurated  in  Brazil.  The  end  of  the  greatest 
difficulties  had  been  reached.  On  September  1,  1889,  these  two  young 
clergymen,  denying  themselves  many  flattering  offers,  turning  aside  from 
personal  preferences,  and  sacrificing  many  things,  sailed  from  Norfolk, 
Va.,  for  the  Far  South.  Much  interest  and  enthusiasm  had  been  excited 
in  a large  meeting  in  St.  Paul’s,  Richmond,  Va.,  some  time  before  their 
departure,  and  many  kind  wishes  and  blessings  were  showered  upon  them  in 
other  places,  especially  in  Philadelphia,  another  spot  wherein  Missionary 
zeal  and  generosity  characterize  the  people  of  God’s  holy  Church,  and 
where  similar  meetings  had  occurred. 

They  first  went  to  Sao  Paulo,  where  they  remained  a while,  in  order  to 
acquire  the  Portuguese  language  and  that  experience  necessary  to  a fair 
beginning  of  their  intended  work.  Subsequently,  they  inaugurated  the 
Missionary  work  of  this  Church  in  Brazil,  in  Porto  Alegre,  the  capital  of 
the  State  of  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  and  in  June,  1890,  opened  a chapel.  The 
work  prospered,  the  people  responded  to  their  Christian  teachings,  oppor- 
tunity developed,  and  the  tidings  sent  back  to  the  home  land  recreated 
spiritual  zeal  and  Missionary  enthusiasm.  A new  field  had  been  opened,  a 
new  call  was  heard,  and  this  Church  looked  into  a larger  future  full  of 
promise. 

In  1891,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Cabell  Brown  and  the  Rev.  John  G.  Meem,  and 
Miss  Mary  Packard,  with  others,  offered  their  lives  and  service  for  the  Bra- 
zil Mission.  The  three  were  accepted,  and  over  many  difficulties,  again 
occurring — the  interference  of  evil  will  thrust  itself — it  was  made  possible 


4 


for  them  to  go.  The  story  of  their  struggle — it  was  largely  their  own 
struggle — to  overcome  these  new  difficulties  was  an  expression  of  their 
determination,  strong  and  pathetic,  and  in  it  may  be  seen  the  sign  of  that 
devotion  and  that  purpose  which  could  not  help  but  succeed  in  God’s 
work.  One  instance  in  particular  is  recalled.  In  the  early  part  of  1891  a 
meeting  was  held  in  Holy  Trinity  Church,  Philadelphia,  and  an  appeal 
made  for  necessary  funds.  It  is  said  that  as  the  prospect  failed  to  become 
as  bright  as  was  hoped  for,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  became  absorbed  in  the 
seriousness  of  the  threat  agfainst  their  purpose,  and  his  face  showed  the 
trial  he  was  undergoing.  A gentleman  noticed  the  expression,  and  cor- 
rectly construing  it,  approached  him  and  said,  “Do  not  be  worried,  you 
will  be  sent.”  It  was  Mr.  Alexander  Brown,  and  a special  check  for  Si, 000 
was  subsequently  found  in  the  offering.  It  was  Mr.  Brown’s,  and  for  the 
sending  of  this  Missionary.  Would  that  it  could  be  that  now  in  this  time 
of  urgent  need  incident  upon  success,  when  we  are  compelled  to  say  to 
those  at  work  in  that  distant  field,  even  as  God’s  opportunity  asks  satisfac- 
tion, “Stop,  we  have  no  means  for  the  development  of  the  work,”  some  one 
like  this  generous  man  might  find  himself  called  and  able  to  follow  this 
example,  and  further  the  Lord’s  own  purpose  in  Brazil. 

On  September  12,  1891,  these  three  Missionaries  sailed  for  Brazil  from 
Newport  News,  Va.,  arriving  in  due  time  in  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  and  the 
Brazil  Mission  was  established.  The  Convocation  was  organized,  its 
officers  appointed,  and  with  fresh  organic  life  the  Mission  began  its  pro- 
mising work.  From  then  on  its  story  has  been  full  of  action,  encourage- 
ment, and  successful  accomplishment.  The  Society  urged  the  generosity 
of  its  friends  toward  this  work,  and  they  met  the  appeal  ; the  men  and 
women  in  the  field  pushed  the  work,  and  won  men  and  women  to  Christ, 
and  fixed  their  work  in  the  esteem  of  the  people.  They  are  doing  this  still ; 
can  our  constituency  here  be  kept  as  true  and  as  generous,  a splendid  end 
is  before  the  Church  in  Brazil. 

Our  Missionaries  found  Brazil  with  a picturesque  life,  and  a civilization 
not  without  its  fascinations,  but  with  its  ideals  crushed,  and  its  inspira- 
tion stifled  in  the  long  domination  of  neglect  and  shame  under  the  Roman 
Church.  The  civilization  had  suffered  much,  and  the  reaction  had  been 
terrible,  but  it  was  ready  for  a new  inspiration,  and  for  those  ideals  which 
Christ’s  truth  was  bound  to  lift  before  them. 

The  work  spread  and  grew.  In  Rio  Grande  as  in  Porto  Alegre,  in 
Pelotas,  in  Contracto,  in  Viamao,  San  Jose  do  Norte,  Jaguarao  and  in  other 
places  chapels  were  established  or  services  begun  and  continued,  and 
congregations  won.  Rapid  development  followed,  and  confirmations  were 
had.  The  Bishop  of  West  Virginia,  in  charge  of  the  Mission,  visited  Brazil 
in  1893,  and  confirmed  142  candidates.  Catechists  were  admitted,  and 
presently  became  candidates  for  Holy  Orders,  and  at  this  same  time  Bishop 
Peterkin  ordered  from  among  them  four  Deacons.  Of  these  the  Rev. 


s 


Messrs.  Amerigo  V.  Cabral,  Vicente  Brande,  and  Antonio  M.  de  Fraga  are 
still  faithfully  and  successfully  at  work.  Lay  Readers  were  also  appointed, 
and  to-day  Messrs.  Alfredo  C.  Dias.  Jose  L.  Ferreira,  Julio  A.  Coelho  and 
Alberto  D.  Jarrys  are  notably  doing  their  Master’s  service. 

In  1893,  there  were  15 1 communicants  in  the  Missions  ; in  1897,  the 
Bishop  of  the  Falkland  Islands  confirmed  159  persons,  and  there  were  319 
communicants  ; and  in  1898  there  were  336  communicants,  and  a number 
awaiting  confirmation.  At  this  time— during  eight  years — the  Mission  had 
contributed  $3,000  toward  its  own  support. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  when  there  was  urgent  demand  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  organic  life  so  well  begun,  and  at  the  General  Convention 
of  1898,  held  in  the  city  of  Washington,  the  House  of  Bishops  was  peti- 
tioned to  elect  a Bishop  for  the  Mission.  They  assented,  and  the  Rev. 
Lucien  Lee  Kinsolving,  the  choice  of  his  brother  Missionaries,  was  elected. 
In  St.  Bartholomew’s  Church,  New  York  City,  on  the  Feast  of  the  Epiphany, 
1899,  he  was  consecrated  by  the  Bishops  of  Kentucky,  Albany  and  West 
Virginia,  assisted  by  the  Bishop  of  Texas,  who  preached  the  sermon,  and 
the  Bishops  of  New  York,  Massachusetts,  and  the  Bishop-Coadjutor  of 
Rhode  Island.  So  was  completed  the  organic  Missionary  structure  in 
Brazil. 

After  a short  time  of  appeal  in  the  United  States,  Bishop  Kinsolving 
returned  to  his  field  of  labor,  and  with  him  the  Society  sent  the  Rev.  G.  W. 
Ribble,  Deacon,  and  Miss  Maria  R.  Pitts,  Deaconess.  New  life  has  by  this 
notable  event  been  thrown  into  the  Mission,  and  appeals  from  other  places 
in  this  portion  of  Brazil  have  come.  As  one  Mission  develops,  another 
town  asks  the  establishment  of  Church  work  in  its  midst. 

Before  October  I St,  though  compelled  through  the  long  illness  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Morris,  to  do  the  local  work  in  Porto  Alegre,  the  Bishop  confirmed 
123  persons. 

But  in  response  to  pathetic  appeals  and  absolute  need  he  has  found  him- 
self compelled  to  open  a new  Mission  at  Santa  Maria,  and  taking  charge  of 
the  station  in  Porto  Alegre  himself,  he  has  sent  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Morris  to 
this  new  work.  In  it,  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morris,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ribble  is 
associated,  and  he  will  continue  there  until  he  has  sufficiently  acquired  the 
Portuguese  language,  and  such  proficiency  in  a study  of  conditions  and 
methods  as  will  justify  an  independent  charge.  But  it  is  pleasant  to  know 
that  this  latest  Missionary  has  exhibited  a rapid  advancement  in  his  new 
field,  and  such  capacity  as  has  impelled  the  congratulation  of  his  Bishop. 
Miss  Pitts  is  now  associated  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brown  in  the  work  in  Rio 
Grande,  and  her  friends  know  that  her  devotion  and  energy  will  soon  show 
their  effect  in  this  fair  field  of  Missionary  enterprise. 

Little  notice  has  been  made  of  the  lay  work  in  this  field,  but  from  the 
very  start  the  Missionaries  enlisted  both  men  and  women  in  their  work, 
and  from  that  time  on  these  gentlemen  and  ladies  have  been  potent  factors 


6 


in  the  splendid  accomplishment  of  the  Church  in  Brazil.  Notable  among 
these  lay-workers  have  been  the  devoted  wives  of  the  clergy. 

The  Bible  is  now  distributed,  and  read  of  the  people  in  their  own  lan- 
guage, the  Prayer  Book  has  been  translated  into  Portuguese,  stamped  with 
the  certificate  of  the  Custodian  of  the  Standard  Book  of  Common  Prayer, 
and  given  to  the  people,  and  used  in  their  worship,  and  a Woman’s  Aux- 
iliary has  been  long  since  organized,  sending  its  offering  regularly  to  the 
United  Offering  of  the  institution. 

Really  ten  years  has  given  us  a Church  in  Brazil,  small  it  is  true,  and  as 
yet  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  the  generosity  of  the  home  land,  but  it 
is  the  Church,  and  its  work  stands  for  much,  and  promises  much  more. 
(See  appended  statistics.) 

This  is  the  very  brief  story  of  the  Brazil  Mission,  but  in  it  there  is  only  a 
hint  of  that  enthusiasm,  sacrifice  and  devotion  which  fills  it  with  Christian 
pathos,  and  would  touch,  could  it  be  told,  the  sympathy  and  generosity  of 
those  who  in  the  comforts  and  indulgence  of  a home  among  kin  and  friends 
might  read  it. 

The  future  lies  before  it  as  bright  as  God’s  day,  and  its  opportunities 
have  opened  wide  the  gates.  At  the  post  of  duty  one  finds  no  fault,  no 
delay,  no  lethargy.  There  all  is  well.  But  here,  at  the  center  of  resources 
and  supply,  it  is  not  so  fair.  The  freshness  of  the  enterprise  has  worn  off, 
men  and  women  have  been  enthused  along  other  lines  as  well,  and  the  time 
of  neglect  or  forgetfulness  is  seen.  But  surely  with  a new  remembrance  of 
the  work  and  the  workers,  Christ’s  manifest  will,  and  the  success  which 
has  already  come  through  obedience  to  it,  will  again  stir  up  the  hearts  of 
faithful  people,  and  the  interest  here  shall  again  be  made  brave  and  strong, 
and  as  generous  as  it  is  way  yonder  in  the  South,  where  our  brethern  labor 
in  God’s  cause.  Sixteen  thousand  dollars  must  be  had  this  year  (1900)  or 
there  shall  be  serious  threat,  it  may  be  loss.  God  forefend  that.  God 
persuade  some  of  His  people  to  rise  to  the  issue  and  bless.  And  the 
laborer  shall  have  earned  his  peace. 


TABLE  OF  STATISTICS  OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  BRAZIL  FOR  YEAR  ENDING 

MAY  81,  1900. 


0q!j  raoaj  saoi’^.nqu^uoj 

Milreis. 

4,916,100 

262,040 

2,624,890 

16,026,910 

3,340,840 

222,000 

60,000 

27,462,280 

•(uoi^^onxisuoo  ai) 
&§n’ipiina  qoanq5 

- 

*s5uip[ina  qojnqo 

*saotAJ9g  aaiAid 

eo 

CO 

<o 

o 

55 

CO 

CO 

05 

•aiaqoaax  lOoqDg-itapung 

CO 

05 

CO 

CQ 

tr- 

et 

•sj'Bioqog  lOoqog-jCBpung 

t- 

§ 

o 

CO 

05 

lO 

CO 

o 

CO 

00 

CO 

•siBung 

t- 

o 

t- 

kO 

■aSuippa^ 

CO 

ic 

‘Si.u'BOlunraraoo 

ic 

Oi 

iC 

05 

o 

•suoiunoimoo 

UO 

l-H 

CO 

CO 

rH 

o 

rH 

CO 

t- 

rH 

00 

CO 

•snoi^l'Brajquoo 

CO 

<o 

CO 

CO 

CO 

lO 

CO 

t- 

•srastjdua 

1C 

CO 

CO 

ac^ 

CO 

CO 

o 

•s:juBinq.so<i  puB  eaapjo 

^0^  sa^^BpipuBO 

1 cand. 

1 pos't 

1 cand. 

cand  s,  2 

Post’ts,  1 

Deaconesses. 

Miss  Packard, 
Acting  Deaconess 
and  Teacher. 

■ 

Miss  Pitts. 

Deaconess 1 

Acting  Deaconess....! 

Clergy. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Lucien  Lee 
Kinsolving,  S.T.D., 
Bishop,  Porto  Alegre. 

Rev.  Americo  V.  Cabral. 

Rev.  A.  V.  Cabral. 

Rev.  Antonio  M.  de  Fraga. 

Rev.  William  Cabell  Brown, 
D.D. 

Rev.  John  G.  Meem. 

Rev.  Vicente  Brande, 
Rev.  G.  Wallace  Ribble,  Dea- 
coh  (temporarily  in 
Jaguargo). 

Rev.  James  Watson  Morris. 

Bishops 1 

Priests 6 

Deacons -...  .1 

Other  Work 
in  Connection 
Therewith. 

English 

Congregation. 

English 
Congregation, 
Chapel  of  the 
Resurrection, 
in  Sao  J ose. 

Chapel  of  the 
Holy  Spirit 
in  Areal. 

This  work  was 
opened  on 

Feb.  11, 1900 
(Septuag.  Sund.) 

Name  of  Church  or 
Chapel,  with  Locality. 

Holy  Trinity  Chapel, 
in  Porto  Alegre, 

Grace  Church, 
in  ViamSo. 

Calvary  Church, 
in  Santa  Rita  do  Rio 
dOs  Smos. 

Chapel  of  the  Saviour, 
in  Rio  Grande. 

-■“•••SMM*******"^'  ■** 

! 

Chapel  of  the  Redeemer, 
in  Felotas. 

Chapel  of  the  Redemp- 
tion, in  Jaguarao. 

Chapel  of  the  Mediator, 
in  Santa  Maria  da 
Bocca  do  Monte.' 

t>- 

OfiBcial  Statistician. 


